Liston vs Quarry in the fall of 1968 - who would have won?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Sardu, Jul 3, 2010.


Page 1 of 2
  1. Sardu

    Sardu RIP Mr. Bun: 2007-2012 Full Member

    3,581
    52
    Jan 22, 2008
    Liston will always be an enigmatic, fascinating, awesome, yet tragic figure til the end of time. There is a great article on this site about what is considered his finest comeback effort after the Lewiston, Maine fiasco in 1965. That being his devastating win over the tough and game young contender Henry Clark in the summer of 1968 in San Francisco, CA.

    Liston had laid low for a couple of years and fought overseas in Sweden. After racking up four wins between 1966-67' he was once again ready to stake a claim to the heavyweight title back here in america.

    The opponent was Henry Clark - the same Henry Clark who would fight Earnie Shavers on the Ali-Norton undercard in 1976. Since I wanted to see this fight after reading the article on here I went and watched it on youtube. Liston's hulking physique was as impressive as it had been a decade earlier in his prime. He looked to be in sensational shape and seemed to have re-dedicated himself to the sport.

    Liston won handily and was positively giddy after this bout as the article on here states. He looked foward to meeting Quarry and then Ellis for the vacant title. He seemed to be on a roll and in great spirits as he bantered with the legendary Howard Cosell after the fight. Liston made a great quote after beating Clark. Something to the effect of "He got sassy then got knocked out."

    This version of Liston looked very impressive. I am led to believe that Liston may have gotten "old overnight" as the saying goes against Leotis Martin one year and a half later. Clark had beaten Martin by a majority decision in the preceding bout before facing Liston.


    That jab was pulervizing and I think Quarry, who was young and peaking in 1968, may have had serious problems against a presence like Liston.

    Ellis, imo, based on his style of fighting would have had the better chance. But the way Liston looked and Ellis smallish size makes me wonder too.
     
    Sardu, Jul 3, 2010
    Sardu, Jul 3, 2010
    #1
  2. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    25,081
    8,468
    Jul 17, 2009
    At this point,1968,Quarry would have decisioned an old Liston. Prime for prime,Sonny would have been Jerry's worst nightmare,but Quarry would have been too young at this juncture.
     
    Stevie G, Jul 3, 2010
    Stevie G, Jul 3, 2010
    #2
  3. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,227
    1,247
    Feb 6, 2009
    sonny would've had too much for quarry.poory jerry's face would've looked like raw hamburger from sonny's jab
     
    turpinr, Jul 3, 2010
    turpinr, Jul 3, 2010
    #3
  4. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

    15,756
    101
    Dec 26, 2009
    The the quarry that fought spencer vs the Liston that fought Clark?
    I think Sonny's jab would cut up Quarry's face. Quarry would undoubtedly be ahead on points but Liston would probably be throwing his hard jab out there and cut him up. It's certainly hard enough to do that.
     
    tommygun711, Jul 3, 2010
    tommygun711, Jul 3, 2010
    #4
  5. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    23,666
    2,146
    Aug 26, 2004
    It is a strange match-up because the younger Quarry was very green and his father was a poor trainer, it was later on that Quarry started to mature and had victory s over Mac Foster, Ron Lyle, Earnie Shavers...I think the younger version gets outpointed by Liston or TKO'd cuts) or could end in a draw) but the Mac Foster,etc. version would beat that version of Liston and possibly stop him...The young version had power and a good chin but green with the ring smarts.
     
    Bummy Davis, Jul 3, 2010
    Bummy Davis, Jul 3, 2010
    #5
  6. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

    15,756
    101
    Dec 26, 2009
    Yeah, that's an advantage that Liston would've had over the green Quarry, ring smarts.
    He would probably get countered by Quarry early on but then take him down on cuts later in the fight.
     
    tommygun711, Jul 3, 2010
    tommygun711, Jul 3, 2010
    #6
  7. ThinBlack

    ThinBlack Boxing Addict banned

    4,768
    26
    Sep 18, 2007
    Quarry would wins a close points verdict over Liston....Too much lost by Sonny at this point.
     
    ThinBlack, Apr 19, 2012
    ThinBlack, Apr 19, 2012
    #7
  8. BUDW

    BUDW Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,911
    812
    Nov 23, 2007
    Jerry by ud Sonny is far past his best
     
    BUDW, Apr 19, 2012
    BUDW, Apr 19, 2012
    #8
  9. apollack

    apollack Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,225
    1,635
    Sep 13, 2006
    I say Liston. No top contender wanted to fight Liston because they were all scared of him. Guy was still really strong and powerful. I think he hits Quarry quite often, which spells disaster for Jerry, who I think would be a bloody mess quite early on in this bout.
     
    apollack, Apr 19, 2012
    apollack, Apr 19, 2012
    #9
  10. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    Sonny and Jerry sparred a few sessions in Los Angeles in May 1968.

    It was Sonny, who wanted Jerry, after his August 1968 bout (KO 7) over Henry Clark.

    The Sonny of the 'Fall of 1968', batters Jerry but does not stop him. The left jab will
    work over time, and Sonny wins a Decision (7-3-0 in Rounds).
     
    Senor Pepe', Apr 19, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Apr 19, 2012
    #10
  11. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,714
    3,455
    Jan 6, 2007
    Quarry too green and too small in 1968.

    Liston by cut stoppage late in the fight.
     
    Longhhorn71, Apr 19, 2012
    Longhhorn71, Apr 19, 2012
    #11
  12. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

    38,042
    7,542
    Jul 28, 2004
    Yes, I agree with this..a minor upset it would have been, but Quarry would have utilized some surprisingly effective counterpunching here.
     
    red cobra, Apr 19, 2012
    red cobra, Apr 19, 2012
    #12
  13. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

    13,250
    11,578
    Mar 19, 2012
    Agree.

    That jab and his physical strength and experiance. Quarry cut so easily. Jerry was so tough but I dont see him lasting the distance against even and older Liston.
     
    ETM, Apr 20, 2012
    ETM, Apr 20, 2012
    #13
  14. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

    15,756
    101
    Dec 26, 2009
    I still agree with myself here.. Quarry would have the speed advantage over Liston and would outbox him at times, but the jab would cut him up and end the fight quickly
     
    tommygun711, Apr 20, 2012
    tommygun711, Apr 20, 2012
    #14
  15. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    If anybody wants to do a comparison of common opponents in the proper time frame,,,

    Check out Willis Earls versus both boys.

    Willis Earls, a Texas club-fighter who was much better than his record indicated.

    November 3, 1968
    A 10 lb. overweight, 41 1/2 year-old Sonny Liston Knocks-out (KO 2) Willis Earls.

    November 19, 1968
    Jerry Quarry, in his 'prime', struggles to stop Willis Earls, and is forced to go the 10-Round distance, where he scores
    a Unanimous Decision win.
     
    Senor Pepe', Apr 20, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Apr 20, 2012
    #15
Page 1 of 2